Chandigarh, August 6: The Bhagwant Mann Cabinet has approved the Punjab Tree Preservation Bill 2026. This legislation aims to maintain ecological balance, prevent environmental pollution, and provide institutional arrangements to mitigate the environmental damage caused by deforestation. It also focuses on soil conservation by preserving green cover.
Punjab is primarily an agricultural state, with approximately 83% of its area dedicated to farming. The total forest and tree cover currently stands at about 5.92%. The state government has set an ambitious goal to increase this figure to 7.5% by 2030.
Additionally, the Cabinet approved amendments to the Punjab Goods and Services Tax (Amendment) Bill 2026. These changes aim to promote voluntary compliance, reduce litigation, and streamline GST processes, benefiting businesses and industries across the state.
The amendment will allow credit notes for post-sale discounts to be excluded from the supply value without the need for prior agreements. It will also enable the issuance of credit notes for post-sale discounts for any business reason, simplifying trade discount adjustments and reducing compliance burdens.
Furthermore, the amendment seeks to provide a 90% provisional refund of Input Tax Credit (ITC) in cases of inverted duty structures. It also allows for the refund of IGST paid on exported goods, even if the refund amount is less than ₹1,000, thereby improving liquidity and boosting exports.
The Cabinet also approved amendments to the Punjab Panchayati Raj Act, 1994, to streamline the operations of the Rural Development Department and create a new cadre of Panchayat Development Secretaries by merging the roles of Panchayat Secretaries and Village Servants.
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